SeaWorld gets permission to open before Disneyland and Universal Studios under provisions made for zoos, not theme parks

• SeaWorld has been granted permission to reopen, under provisions made for zoos, not amusement parks.

• Any outdoor spaces will be open for visitors, but indoor spaces will remain closed.
• Knott's Berry Farm has also been allowed to reopen by using outdoor dining guidelines.

SeaWorld has been granted permission to reopen, under provisions made for zoos, not amusement parks.

The park will allow guests to freely roam any outdoor areas, but indoor aquariums will remain closed. The park's rides will also remain closed, according to Tegan Glasheen, a spokesman for San Diego County, as reported by Bloomberg.

In California, zoos have more relaxed policies for reopening than amusement parks.

In the state-issued guidelines, zoos (along with museums, galleries, and aquariums) still have to follow social distancing protocols, but their outdoor spaces can be open for visitors. These businesses are to limit capacity in order to ensure that social distancing can still take place.

Amusement parks, on the other hand, have not been given official guidance to open, and there is no timeline as to when and how parks may be open.

SeaWorld isn't the only park that has changed operations in order to open back up.

Knott's Berry Farm has been holding outdoor festivals, as outdoor dining has been allowed to resume in the state. While the rides remain closed even during the food festivals, visitors can still walk around the park as long as they maintain social distancing.